Equity in Journals Publishing Spotlight Series: WHE
Women’s Health (WHE) is an Open Access journal that publishes multidisciplinary research concerning a woman’s lifespan. The editors welcome health studies regarding races, ethnicities, and genders that have been left out of past medical research. They’ve also highlighted the need for contributions from authors living in low-to-middle-income countries in their aims and scope.
The journal’s work is timely and urgent — despite medical technology progress, maternal mortality and lack of access to reproductive health care are still both drivers that negatively impact women’s health outcomes, especially the health outcomes of Black women. For example, a mixed-method 2021 study found a lack of access to cervical cancer education for the marginalized women living in Durban, South Africa. Cervical cancer causes 5,000 deaths in South Africa annually, and one for which there are many preventative measures. WHE publishes research that addresses these inequalities head on, and the studies often offer solutions for policymakers and healthcare practitioners.
LeRoy Robinson is the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Associate Editor for WHE and currently guides the journal on its DEI mission. Dr. Robinson notes, “I am focused on reaching out to researchers from underserved communities to have their work and perspectives represented in the journal's pages. As a collective, the editorial board is also focused on bringing in reviewers and advisory board members from all walks of life, using inclusive language, and expanding the scope of research covered by the journal to better address mental health, LGBTQIA+ health, and disparities in healthcare.”
It is crucial for journals and publishers to champion people of color as senior authors, editors, reviewers, and respected subjects. WHE is taking great strides in to continue this work. Currently, WHE are planning to launch a special collection on advancing maternal health equity in 2022. They are also seeking research on neurodivergent women’s health, which has historically been ignored by research.
Women’s Health is committed to bring universally accessible content to light. Patients, social scientists, policymakers, and other healthcare stakeholders have free access to WHE’s high-quality multidisciplinary research.
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